A New Pet – Things to Consider

Last week the hubby brought home the biggest, fattest, dumbest dog I have ever seen. We already love him. Hubby heard he was going to be put down, so we rescued the 5 year old lab.

So today’s article is all about questions to ask before getting a new pet and how to prepare to bring it home.

or Organizing for Our New Furry Friend (for the sake of Project A – Z).

Who is going to be around the new pet?

Unless you live alone, you need to consider other members of your household. First, make sure to include your significant other before making any commitments. Does anyone have any pet allergies? Are there kids in the house? Are there other animals in the house? What type of pet would fit your lifestyle? How often do you travel? How much responsibility (including financial) are you ready for?

We were looking at one particular dog. Chances are you are looking at a little wider selection. If you have kids, do a little research into what types of animals or which breeds are better matched for their age levels. Think about the size of your current pets. Also consider the temperments of your kids and any other pets already in the home. Take a minute to really evaluate all of the options so you can have an idea what pets would be a good match and which ones will not.

Where is it going to stay?

Are you looking for an indoor or outdoor pet? Is your house/yard pet safe? Are there going to be places that are off limits? Do you have any holes in the fence?

We have started each of our dogs and cats in crates. When you first bring a new pet home, you need to keep it quarantined until it has gotten a health check. But, we have found that the animals find comfort in having a room of their own that matches their dimensions. We put a towel or blanket in that becomes theirs. They keep going back long after the doors are removed.

Do you have all of the items you will need?

The first thing any pet owner needs is a good Vet. If you do not already have one, ask around for recommendations from friends and family or try out Angie’s List under the advertiser links below.

For other needed accessories, look at this comprehensive pet checklist or ask your veterinarian.

Where did it come from?

If you have an opportunity, try to learn more about where the animal came from. It can offer you all kinds of information. Has it been well cared for? Is it use to other animals? Is it use to kids? Is it use to being confined or running free? Is it use to being in the house?

Every observation will be a hint of the physical and mental health of the animal. Especially with animals that are more than a few months old, it will give an idea of how much effort will you need to put toward socialization and trust issues. If you get a pet from a pet store or from the animal shelter, you don’t get a chance to see where the animal actually came from. Most animal shelters and rescues have exercises they put most dogs through to check for concerning characteristics. Ask them how the dog measures up.

We always make sure to check if a dog will be food aggressive before we consider having it around our kids and other pets.

Do you have a back up plan?

Just in case things do not work out, find out if the pet can be returned. If it can’t, have a back up plan ready. Find someone else that would be interested. Know the contact names and numbers for the appropriate pet rescue. Make sure the animal shelter will be open.

What do you do first when you bring it home?

Once you have covered all of your bases, you are ready to get the new addition to the family.

Try to take it to your vet before you bring it home or keep it crated/separated until you can get it to the vet. You do not want any sickness spreading to others or around your home.

It is easier said than done, but try to have everyone be calm when first greeting the new pet. For dogs and cats, try to take a slow approach and let them get accustomed to the new sights and scents. Slowly introduce each family member. Guide them around their surroundings. Even if you checked before, test a dog for food/toy aggressiveness. In the past we have always crated the new pet while our current animals got accustomed to their presence. Once they quit being curious, then we would, again slowly, make formal introductions.

Share in the comments

Let us know of other things you would like to recommend. What other things do you think we should keep in mind? Have you ever had a great or horrible experience with a new pet?

photo credit: Pets Cube by ChinchillaVilla

Resources mentioned above that are available from our advertisers:

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